Vivy Corral

In a world where social media feeds are adorned with motivational quotes and messages urging us to "stay positive" and "keep pushing forward," there's a darker side to this relentless pursuit of optimism – the phenomenon known as toxic positivity. This pervasive mindset promotes the idea that we should always maintain a positive outlook, regardless of the circumstances, and dismisses any form of negativity as unwelcome. At first glance, the concept of toxic positivity might seem counterintuitive. After all, isn't positivity generally considered a good thing? The problem arises when positivity becomes a shield, preventing individuals from acknowledging and addressing genuine struggles and emotions. The pressure to conform to an overly positive mindset can lead to a myriad of issues, both mentally and emotionally. When people are consistently told to "look on the bright side" or "find the silver lining," it creates a culture that suppresses...

Parents believe it's an investment in their children's future, a beacon of academic excellence. Little do they know, it's a haven for their own selfish desires. You see, I've been in this game for far too long. Teaching at Thornwood wasn't about molding young minds; it was about maintaining peace and quiet at home. Every parent sending their precious offspring to this elitist boarding school has the same ulterior motive. They're not seeking education; they're buying themselves tranquility. Thornwood isn't an institution of learning; it's a high-priced babysitter. A way for the wealthy to sweep their responsibilities under the rug. "Let the school handle it," they say as if we're glorified nannies with tweed jackets and chalk-stained fingers. The hefty tuition fees are merely a salve for their guilt, a way to appease their conscience for shipping their offspring off like excess baggage. Education? That's a mere guise, a curtain they ...

Delaney couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that crept over him as his friends filed out of the alchemy club. The Grand Master's Skull, which seemed to fascinate his friends, was just a fanciful play. He had found it lying around when he first ventured underground and thought nothing of it but a fake. As he carefully stowed it away, he chided himself for getting caught up in the whimsical scenarios he had concocted. He was too far in to go back now. His uncle Archibald's stories filled his mind with their evenings— moments of pure enchantment, where toys came alive at the wave of his uncle's hand. Delaney cherished those memories, especially the one where his uncle claimed he could turn metal into gold. It would be amazing if he could ever turn things into gold and be rich with a flick of his finger without having to work a single day. But reality hit hard when he caught sight of his uncle coughing, a subtle indication that all wasn't well. Closing the...

I experience occasional anxiety crises. I'm not anxious all the time, but there are moments when I lose control and have the urge to eat an entire chocolate bar. Whether it's due to PMS, a stressful job, or a sense of existential emptiness. Who hasn't been there? I was consistently going to the gym until my knee started acting up. Approaching the age of forty, I discovered I have patellar deviations that are wearing down the cartilage. Sitting hurts, walking hurts. The solution would be to go to the gym gradually to correct the problem. Ironically, this is the month when I've had the most work. Sitting. Which made my knees hurt even more and pushed me toward rest. Working while sitting triggers anxiety for me. Whether it's to finish quickly, see the work flow, or distract myself from the strident sounds of the four people and three dogs in my house while trying to host a webinar. I need peace and quiet to control anxiety. Then I had a brilliant idea to manage my an...

Good Friday has always been more eagerly anticipated than Easter. Even though we would receive chocolate eggs on Sunday, it was on Friday that the feast took place. Our Portuguese-origin family never failed to respect the occasion with seafood recipes. Despite still feeling the repercussions of a hurried immigration by the previous generation, it was mandatory to have a lavish lunch that brought together great-grandparents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren. My great-grandmother Rosa was in charge of the codfish balls that tasted like Portugal. My grandmother Fátima took care of a more Brazilian recipe, the Codfish with Coconut. The steaming pots emitted a fragrance that made us, the grandchildren, stop playing to gather around the stove, salivating as if we hadn't seen food for days. The Codfish with Coconut was a collaborative effort. My grandfather bought the dried coconut and scraped the white part so that it could be added to the mixture while still fresh. He even inve...

It was 2005, and I had never left the country. I was 20 years old, one year away from finishing film school, and felt terribly inferior to my peers. I was fortunate to study at an elite college. I remember my high school friends distancing themselves, saying I had become 'rich,' and they didn't want to talk to me anymore. Little did they know that I had a scholarship, and my father worked hard to pay the remaining tuition. I found myself in a limbo where I wasn't poor, nor rich. I couldn't hang out with high school classmates anymore, and I didn't have the money (or intellect) to keep up with my college peers. It was at the age of 20 that I could, for the first time, leave the country. In June 2005, I landed in Milan, determined to have a real experience where I could exchange knowledge with my colleagues in the following semester. I had never felt so amazed. Piazza del Duomo slapped me with its grandeur. I was breathless when I saw that incredible Gothic church...

Annabelle Von Christian's grand birthday gala unfolded with all the enchantment one could imagine. The opulent hall shimmered with magical lights, echoing the laughter and joy of the reveling guests. Prince Leonard, a figure known for his charm but occasionally finding himself entangled in amusing situations. Adorned in regal attire that may have had a few more frills than he'd prefer, he stepped into the gala to extend warm wishes to the birthday girl, Duchess Annabelle. Unbeknownst to the prince, fate had decided to add an unexpected touch to his entrance – a piece of lettuce had taken residence in his royal braces. As Prince Leonard approached Annabelle, his words were accompanied by the subtle rustling of lettuce, much to her silent dismay. Annabelle, though always gracious, found it challenging to stifle her irritation. She managed to excuse herself, seeking solace in the marble corridors to escape the unintentional distraction. Prince Leonard, blissfully unaware of the le...